Tip-switch



. W. GAIR TIP-SWITCH Dec. 19, 1944.

Filed June 4, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 19, 1944. A, w, GAlR 2,365,262

TIP-SWITCH Filed June 4, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I gg/MM5- Patented Dec. 19,1944

TIP- SWITCH Albert W. Gail', Detroit, Mich., assignor to Thompson Products, Incorporated, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 4, 1943,.Seria1 No. 489,595

(Cl. 20G-52) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to switches adapted to automatically function when tilted beyond a predetermined angle.

Specifically, the invention relates to tipswitches for vehicles adapted to short-circuit the electrical system of such vehicles whenever the vehicles are overturned or tilted beyond a predetermined angle.

In accordance with this invention, vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, tractors and the like areequipped with simple switches which automatically function to stop the motors of the vehicl'es whenever the vehicles are overturned or tiltedsvto, a dangerousl angle. The tip-switches of this invention include metal ball elements mounted :for rolling in metal containers into contact with` electrical conductors for electricallyconnecting such conductors with the containers to ground the electrical system of the vehicle and thereby: automatically stop the motor to prevent tires and accidents, as when the vehicle is about to, be overturned or reaches a dangerous angle.

K The` metal containers for the ball elements are so shaped that the ball normally rides in a pocket in the bottoni of the container in spaced relationr from a conductor suspendedr into the top of the container in insulated relation from the .container walls. Normal vibration oi the vehicle will? not move the ball sulliciently to contact the conductor, but as'soonas the container is tilted beyond a predetermined angle, the ball will roll out of the pocket along the container walls into contact with the conductor to immediately ground the electrical system.

In one form ci the invention the tip-switch is provided with a fuse between the source of electrical: power and the conductor. Whenever the ball in the switch grounds the conductor, the fuse will blow to stop iiow of current to the motor of the vehicle. In this form of tip-switch, the fuse can be removed or not used to adapt the switch for use` in magneto-equipped vehicles such as tractors, for grounding the magneto whenever the vehicle is tilted to a dangerous angle.

In another form of the invention the tip-'switch isxequipped with a grounded metal container hav ing aconductor suspended in yinsulated relation therein, which conductor is connected to the source of electrical power. The ball in the container will ground the electrical system whenever the container is tilted beyond a predetermined degree.

In still another form of the invention the metal container is equipped with a shield between the conductor and the pocket in the b-ottom of the container so that the ball cannot be vibrated into contactwith the conductor, but can freely roll into contact with the conductor whenever the container is tilted beyond a predetermined angle.

It is, then, an object of thisinvention to provide safety switches for motorized vehicles having electrical systems to ground such electrical systems whenever the Vehicle is tilted to or beyondl a dangerous angle.

A further object 0f the invention is to provide tip-switches having ball elements functioning as conductors.

A still further object of the invention is to provide safety tilt switches of inexpensive design made from inexpensive materials.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tip-switch composed of a metal cup, an insulated conductor in the cup, and a metal ball.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a switch wherein a trece-rolling metal ball element functions tov operate the switch.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tip-switch composed of a container having a pocket in the bottom thereof, a ball normally riding in said pocket, a conductor spaced from said pocket in the container, and walls on the 'container on which the ball can roll into contact with the conductor whenever the container is tilted beyond a predetermined degree.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed descriptions of the annexed sheets of drawings which, by way of preferred examples only, illustrate three embodiments of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View, with parts in side elevation, of a tip-switch according to this invention mounted on the dashboard of a vehicle.`

Figure 2 is a transverse crossesectional View, with parts in elevation, taken along the line II II of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure l illustrating the switch in tipped or tilted position.

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram illustrating the use of the switch of Figures l to 3 in a batterycontrolled ignition circuit of an automobile.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram illustrating the use of the tip-switch of Figures l to 3 in a magnetoscontrolled electrical system of a tractor.

Figuref is a transverse cross-sectional View, with parts in elevation, of a modified form of tipswitch according to this invention.

Figure 7 is an endy elevational View of the switch of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of a further modied tip-switch according to this invention.

Figure 9 is a transverse cross-sectional View of the switch of Figure 8 taken along the line IXIX of Figure 8.

Figure l0 is a horizontal cross-sectional View taken along the line X-X of Figure 9;

Figure 1l is a top plan View of the switch of Figure 9.

Figure l2 is a View similar to Figure 9 showing the switch in tilted or tipped position.

Figure 13 is a wiring diagram illustrating the use of the switches of Figures 6 and 7 or Figures 8 to 12 in a magneto circuit,

As shown on the drawings:

As shown in Figures l to 3, the reference numeral I designates one form of tip-switch according to this invention composed of a rather narrow metal cup with vertical side walls II, II, a at bottom wall I2, and end walls I3, I3 extending upwardly rom the bottom wall I2 along a steep inclined path and merging into outwardly haring wall portions I4, I4 providing an enlarged open-top for the cup. One end wall I4 projects laterally from the cup as at I5 and is mounted on a bracket I6 carried by the dash I1 of an automotive vehicle. A bolt I3 can pass through apertures in the flange I5 and bracket i5 for securing the cup in vertical position on the automobile.

The cup thus has a pocket I8 in the bottom portion thereof and a metal ball I9 is snugly seated in this pocket I3 and is normally disposed on the bottom wall I2 of the cup. The ball I9, however, is adapted to roll out of the pocket IB toward the open top of the cup whenever the cup is tilted and, in so rolling, will be on one of the walls I I or i4 of the cup.

A gasket or" rubber or other insulating material lil is mounted on the mouth of the cup and a conductor strip 2I is supported on this gasket and extends across the mouth of the cup.

A cover 22 of insulation material such as hard rubber, Bakelite, fiber, or the like, closes the open top of the cup and is secured to the cup by means 0i bent-over lingers 23 at spaced intervals around the mouth of the cup.

A washer 22 is disposed between the cover 22 and the strip 2i at the center of the cup to deiiect the strip 2| into the cup for cooperating with the end walls I4, I4 to provide converging paths into the upper corners of the cup.

A metal bolt 25 is passed through the center of the strip 2I, the washer 24, and the cover 22 with the head thereof disposed in the cup. A fuse clamp 2S is seated on the cover 22 and an apertured mounting flange 26a receiving the bolt 25 therethrough. A nut 21 is threaded onto the bolt against the clamp 25, to hold the clamp on the cover 22.

As shown in Figures l and 3, the cover 22 projects beyond an end wall I4 and a bolt 28 passed through this projecting end of the cover. A second clamp 29 is disposed on the cover and has a mounting iiange 29a on the projecting portion oi the cover, receiving the bolt 23 therethrough. A nut 3i) is threaded on the bolt 28 against the mounting flange 29a to secure the clamp 29 on the cover. The clamps 25 an'd 29 have spring ngers receiving a conventional fuse 3i therein with a fuse element 32 electrically connecting the clamps and thus electrically connecting the bolts 25 and 28. A wire 33 is disposed around the bolt 28 and held thereon by means of a second nut 34. This wire 33 is a power wire leading from a source of electrica-l current such as a battery. A second wire 35 is disposed around the bolt 25 and held thereon by means of a nut 3S. This wire 35 connects the conductor strip 2I with the electrical system of the vehicle.

When the cup is mounted in vertical position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ball I9 will ride in the pocket I8 but, when the cup is tilted beyond a predetermined angle, as shown in Figure 3, the ball I9 will ride out of the pocket I8 along a wall I4 or II of the cup into Contact with the conductor strip 2I thereby electrically connecting the conductor strip to the ground through the cup, bracket I6, and dashboard I1. As a result the power connection 33 will be shortcircuited through the fuse element 32 and this element will be destroyed.

As shown in the wiring diagram of Figure 4, the power wire 33 is connected through the usual ignition switch S to a source of power such as a batteryB which, as conventional, is grounded as at G to the automobile chassis. The cup of the switch III is also grounded to the chassis through the dash I1.

The wire 35 is connected to the electrical system of the vehicle such as to the distributor 31 which system is grounded as through spark plugs or the like (not shown). Now, when the cup of the switch IB is tilted as shown in Figure 3, the fuse element 32 will be grounded and thus destroyed thereby disconnecting the battery B from the electrical system 31.

When it is desired to use the switch I0 in electrical systems having magnetos wherein the magnetos are stopped by grounding the same as in tractors, the fuse element 32 need not be used and the fuse 3I can be removed from the switch.

A magneto circuit embodying the switch I0 is shown in Figrue 5, wherein the magneto M supplies the power wire 33 and the electrical system 31. The power wire 33, instead of being connected to the fuse clamp 29, is directly connected to the fuse clamp 26. Then, whenever the ball I9 contacts the conductor 2I, the magneto will be grounded and will cease functioning. The clamp 29 of the switch i0 is not used in amagneto installation.

In the embodiment in Figures 6 and 7, the switch 40 is composed of a metal cup 4I with vertical side walls 42, a horizontal bottom wall 43, steeply sloping end walls 44, and outwardly flaring end wall :portions 45 providing a pocket 46 with an enlarged mouth portion. One of the side walls 42 extends higher than the other side wall and provides a mounting bracket 41.

The top oi the cup 4i is closed by means of a cover 48 of insulation material which is clamped to the top of the cup by means of bent-over ngers 49 provided at the ends of the cup.

A conductor strip 50 is suspended from the cover 48 in the cup on a bolt 5I having a head 5Ia supporting the strip. The strip 50 terminates short of the side and end walls of the cup and is thus mounted in the cup in insulated relation therefrom.

The bolt 5I has a nut 52 thereon bottomed on the cover 48 to clamp the conductor 5U between the inner face ofthe cover 48 and the bolt head 5 Ia. A second nut 53 is also threaded on the bolt 5I and a wire 54 is adapted to be disposed between the nuts 52 and 53.

In this modiiication of Figures 6 and 7, the switch 4G only has one wire connection.

A ball 55 is disposed in the cup 4I and normally rides in the pocket 46 of the cup but. whenever the cup is tilted beyond a predetermined angle, the ball will roll out of the pocket to join the cup with the conductor 5H and thereby ground the electrical system of a vehicle on which the switch is used.

In the embodiment of this invention of Figures 8 to 12, a tip-switch 69 has a cylindrical metal cup 6| with a tapered bottom Wall 62 co-nverging to provide a well or pocket 63 at the axial center of the cup. The bottom 62 is secured in the recess 64 of a mounting bracket 65 adapted to be attached to the dashboard or other grounded part of a vehicle.

A disk 66 of rigid insulating material such asv Bakelite, hard rubber or the like is seated on top of the cup 6| and has notches 66a at intervals therearound receiving tangs 61 of the cup 6| therethrough. These tangs 6l are bent over the top of the disk 66 as at 61a to clamp the disk to the top of the cup.

A well or pocket portion 63 of the tapered bottom wall 62 receives a metal ball 68. This ball 68 normally rides in the pocket in spaced relation from a conductor disk 69 suspended on a bolt 'l0 from the cover 66 in spaced relation from the cup. The conductor disk 69 has a convex bottom face against which the ball 68 can ride when the switch is tilted.

A spacer 1| around the nut 10 holds the disk 69 in spaced relation beneath the cover 66. A nut l2 is threaded on the bolt against the cover 66 to secure the disk 69 in clamped relation between the head 10a of the bolt and the spacer 1|. A wire 13 is wrapped around the bolt l0 above the nut 'l2 and is held on the bolt by means of a second nut 14.

Since the cup 6| is preferably quite small and may vibrate to an appreciable extent when in use, the ball 68 may roll due to vibration but itV is` kept from unauthorized rolling into contact with the conductor 69 by means of a shield or baille 15. This shield or baille has a central portion 16 with four radially extending wings ll secured to the side wall and bottom of the cup. The wings have cut-out inner portions providing a fragmental spherical recess 18 in spaced relation above the well or pocket portion 63 of the cup bottom 62. The ball 68 normally riding in the pocket portion 63 of the bottom 62 is free to vibrate and roll in the recess 18 of the baille but is held against rolling in' an upward spiral path into contact with the conductor 69 by the central portion '|6 and the wings Tl. Vibration of the cup will, therefore, never result in rolling the ball on the cup walls into contact with the conductor 69. However, as shown in Figure 12, whenever the cup 6| is tilted beyond a predetermined angle to move the ball out from under the central portion 16 of the shield, it is free to roll between the wings 11 of the shield into contact with the conductor 69, thereby electrically connecting the conductor 69 with the cup 6|. The inner edges of the wings providing the recess 18 can not hold the ball in the recess during tilting even if they vare in the direct line of tilting movement since theyare quite thin and a ball cannot be retained on a line edge during movements attendant with the tipping of a vehicle to a dangerous angle. However, the wings 11 can be positioned at 45 from the expected directions of tilt if desired so that they will not be in the direct line'of tilt.

As shown in the wiring diagram of Figure 13, the wire 73 connects the conductor69 with a magneto M which is grounded as at G. The'felec trical system such as the distributor 19 of the vehicle is also connected to the Wire 13. The cup 6l is grounded and, whenever the cup is tilted to move the ball 68 into contact with a. conductor 69, the wire 13 will be grounded to G and stop the magneto M, thereby stopping flow of current to the electrical system 'I9 of the vehicle.

The tip-switch 4U of Figures 6 and 7 is used in an identical circuit with the tip-switch 6D as shown in Figure 13. Both tip-switches 40 and 60 are also adapted for use in battery circuits resulting in a short-circuiting of the battery when ever the switches are tipped to move the balls thereof into contact with the conductors thereof.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon other- Wise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A tip-switch comprising a cylindrical metal cup having a tapered bottom, a metal ball riding on said bottom, a shield in said cup overlying said ball in spaced relation whenever the cup is in vertical position, a conductor suspended in said cup in insulated relation therefrom above said shield, and said ball adapted to ride on said cup from under said shieldv into contact with said conductor for electrically connecting the con ductor and cup whenever the cup is tilted beyond a predetermined angle.

2. A tip-switch comprising a metal cup having a sloping bottom wall providing a central pocket, a metal ball in said cup disposed in said pocket whenever the cup is in vertical position, a shield having a central portion and radially extending wings in said cup defining a recess overlying the ball in spaced relation and providing channels freely receiving the ball whenever the cup is tilted, and a conductor suspended in said cup above said shield in insulated relation from the cup adapted to be contacted by the ball and electrically connected to the cup whenever the cup is tilted beyond a. predetermined angle.

3. A tip-switch comprising a metal cup having an inclined bottom wall providing a central pocket, a metal ball in said cup disposed in said pocket whenever the cup is in upright position, bailles secured in said cup in spaced upright relation to accommodate movement of the ball therebetween but holding the `ball against rolling in an upward spiral path on the inclined Wall of the cup, and a conductor suspended in the cup in insulated relation therefrom and spaced from the baffles to be contacted by the ball only when the cup is tilted beyond a predetermined angle.

4. A tip-switch comprising a metal cup having an inclined bottom providing a well at the axial center of the cup, acover of insulation material for said cup having notches around the periphery thereof, tangs on said cup extending through said notches and having bent-over end portions overlying the, cover to retain the cover on the cup, a conductor stud extending through the central portion of the cover, a conductor carried by said stud in the cup in spaced relation from the wall of the cup, a metal ball seating in the Well of the cup adapted to ride on the inclined wall of the cup into contact with the conductor for joining the conductor and cup in current-conducting relation, and baille means in the cup obstructing upward spiral movement of the ball while accommodatingrolling of the ball on the cup wall whenever the cup is tilted beyond a predetermined angle.

ALBERT W. GAIR.. 

